Sustainable Energy

The SDCE was invited to be a participant at the State Governments Climate Change Summit held in early April. This was an important part of the governments process in formulating formal legislation around Climate Change to be known as the Climate Change Bill. At this stage the government is seeking feedback and input for the preparation of discussion papers. This submission by the SDCE is an opportunity to have a say in formulating legislation that we believe will lead to better community based initiatives that will reduce our reliance on carbon emitting technologies.

Submission to Climate Change Bull - July 2008 (PDF - 226Kb)

Sustainable Strathfieldsaye
Focus on Energy

Objectives

To reduce the carbon emissions emanating from electricity use from individual households, and
to reduce the carbon emissions emanating from electricity use from the Strathfieldsaye community as a collective.

Background

The Sustainable Strathfieldsaye committee has been formed as a sub committee under the framework of the Strathfieldsaye Community Enterprise Ltd (SCE) which provides an appropriate governance structure.

1. Solar in Schools

Key Points:

grant program run by Sustainability Victoria (SV)
allows schools to install up to 5 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems on school buildings
extends to community facilities where an educational component can be demonstrated

The Strathfieldsaye Primary School and St Francis of the Fields Primary School in conjunction with the Strathfieldsaye Community Enterprise Ltd (SCE) have formed a consortia to develop a grant application under this program. The application is due in by the end of March.

SV have been very encouraging and believe the relationships between both primary schools and the SCE is both unique and innovative as it provides a direct linkage into the broader community. Indications of the success of this grant have been very positive to date.

The intention is to install solar PV systems at both primary schools as well as the new pavilion currently under construction at the Strath Sports Club.

The following table outlines the options and current rebate available for individual systems up to 5 KW.

Installed Capacity	Installed System Cost	Solar In Schools Rebate	Federal Government Rebate	School Contribution
1 KW	$12,000	$3,000	$6,000	$3,000
2 KW	$22,000	$6,000	$12,000	$4,000
3 KW	$30,000	$9,000	$12,000	$9,000
4 KW	$42,000	$12,000	$12,000	$18,000
5 KW	$54,000	$15,000	$12,000	$27,000

2. 100 Solar Rooftops

Key points:

aggregated demand model that leads to discounted solar PV systems on individual households
realises the optimum federal rebate of $8,000 per 1 kW domestic solar PV system
SCE registered as agent for redeeming the Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s) – provides one off income generation
potential to develop partnership with a Renewable Energy retailer for a trailing dividend (similar to partnerships with BB and BCT)
adoption of a beneficial Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) will increase adoption rates
adoption of a beneficial Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) will reduce individual’s pay back times

The 100 Solar Rooftops program is still at the early stages of development. While some other communities are using a bulk order model to achieve discounted systems for their householders, the difference that we are developing within this model is the ability to generate revenue into a community fund, while at the same time providing a discounted system for the householder.

Our experience demonstrates that many members of a community feel a definitive connection to their local area and are prepared to contribute towards it’s improvement in an altruistic manner. Given a renewable energy model that directs a financial benefit back into a community trust account is expected to be well supported within local and regional communities.

The schematic below outlines the potential for integration across a range of stakeholders, however one of the key elements of this model would be to extract a revenue stream from a Feed-In-Tariff. The complex part of this would be in getting agreement of the energy retailer.

100 Solar Rooftops Program

3. Energy Efficiency

Key Points:

establish benchmarks using key households for monitoring energy use and management
schools to incorporate as a Sustainable Energy curriculum activity
potential integration with Access Employment Eco-Living grant

Energy efficiency is one of the first steps that households can take. It requires accredited energy assessors which I believe the Eco-Living grant proposes to train up.

There are some programs that allow individuals, or an agent to redeem credits based upon emission reduction measures. These need some further exploration in the context of rolling out such a program within the Strathfieldsaye Community.

4. Renewable Energy Farm

Key Points:

could be solar or wind farm
potential linkage to Solar Cities bid for establishing Solar Parks in the region
these would be community owned or shareholding with development partner eg Future Energy, Solar Systems etc.

This is longer term vision at this stage as it requires a significant up-front capital investment and would require income generation over a number of years through the SCE revenue generation model to be in a position to invest at this scale of development.

5. Solar Hot Water Systems

Key Points:

this is potentially one of the quickest ways to achieve a significant reduction in carbon emissions
potential for income generation from REC’s
SCE as broker / agent for gathering orders and stimulating demand

While this is one of the best ways to achieve a carbon emission saving, there is possibly a limited market in Strathfieldsaye due to the many recent and new homes in this area. These homes have had to comply with 5 Star energy rating and would have a SHWS installed already. However once we become an agent for receiving REC’s then it is worth exploring for many of the older homes in the district.

Implementation Strategy Plan

Development Area	Implementation Strategy	Salaries	Funds Required	Responsibilities / Timelines / Comments
Project Officer	Appointment of a Sustainable Strathfieldsaye Project Officer to coordinate and be accountable for the implementation of the Project Charter.			Accountable to SCE, reports directly to SS sub-committee.
Solar in Schools	Schools to write and submit applications by late March.			Schools and designated contact person from SS Sub-committee. {Paul Dullard}
100 Solar Rooftops	Link to Smart Energy Zones application to SV.			Project Officer with SS Sub-committee and SV
Community Launch				Project Officer/Schools/SCE
Energy Efficiency	Link to Access employment model and eco –living grant. Have school families linked to Project officer to develop home energy audit tool and implement.			Project Officer/Schools/Access Employment
Renewable Energy Farm	Link to Solar Cities Bid.
Solar Hot Water Systems	Link to Solar Cities Bid.
	Totals
Sustainability Model